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15 April - 12 May

The Willow covers the period 15th April -12th May. This tree was one of our sacred trees and was associated with the moon and water. The famous Brian Ború harp, a symbol of Ireland, was made from Willow.
In this image I’ve represented the youthful Brigid emerging as the renewed aspect of the Cailleach, the Crone of Winter, now sleeping.
Being close to water, there are also stories of the Willow’s association with the Goddess Bóinn or Boann who was represented by a cow and whose milk flowed to fill the River Boyne.
It was said that a Willow wand would act as a talisman and Willow wood placed around a churn, would ensure good butter. 
This period is also when the ancient festival of Bealtaine took place and indeed in the Irish language, the month of May is called Bealtaine. It was a time to celebrate the coming of summer when fires would be lit, first at Uisneach, near Mullingar in Co. Westmeath and then across the land.
The Ogham (ancient Irish language) is four horizontal lines on the right face of a standing stone.

Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna